"What is more necessary than ever before for forward-looking foreign and security policy is thus a clear compromise and commonly agreed, binding rules," said the Federal Foreign Minister.
The Munich Security Conference is an unofficial event which attracts high-ranking personalities from the realms of politics, economics and publishing. It was founded by the publisher Ewald von Kleist. Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger is the third chairman. All in all about 300 participants from 50 countries meet in the Bavarian capital. Free of the constraints of protocol and diplomatic niceties participants can indulge in some straight talking.
European army needed
Now that the Treaty of Lisbon has come into force, the EU has become more "democratic and more parliamentary," said Guido Westerwelle. According to the provisions of the Treaty, the signatories are to work on a common European foreign and security policy.
The Minister explained that Germany will be leading the way towards a common defence policy. In the long term, a European army under complete parliamentary control is indispensable, he said. The EU, "must be able to undertake its own crisis management, and must be in a position to act swiftly, flexibly and jointly."
Iran must provide evidence that its nuclear programme serves civilian goals
Disarmament will be another important topic, according to the Federal Foreign Minister. "Today the uncontrolled proliferation of nuclear weapons is the largest single threat to our security," he said.
"The controversy surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme is thus not a regional issue. It has global ramifications," said the Federal Foreign Minister. The global community cannot accept an Iran with nuclear weapons. This would destabilise the entire region. The international agreements on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons would be weakened.
Iran is contractually entitled to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Teheran must, however, prove that its nuclear programme is of a purely peaceful nature, said Guido Westerwelle.
German foreign policy is peace policy
The German government is endeavouring to have the last nuclear weapons withdrawn from Germany, according to Guido Westerwelle.
The Russian and American plans to reduce their arsenals have the full and unqualified support of Germany. The next decade is to be a decade of disarmament. It is important that nuclear and conventional disarmament go hand in hand.
